Senate Bill 21-158 Summary

• Expands Colorado's Health Service Corps loan repayment program to include geriatric advanced practice providers (advanced practice registered nurses and physician assistants with geriatric training) serving in health professional shortage areas.

• Requires geriatric advanced practice providers receiving loan repayment to commit to providing geriatric care for at least 2 years in designated shortage areas, with contracts involving the provider, primary care office, and community employer.

• Adds new definitions including "geriatric advanced practice provider," "geriatric care," and "older adult" (age 65+) to the Health Service Corps statutes.

• Increases Colorado Health Service Corps advisory council membership from 15 to 16 members and requires at least one member to be a physician providing geriatric care or a geriatric advanced practice provider.

• Appropriates $400,000 to the Colorado health service corps fund for fiscal year 2021-22 to support the expanded program.